Yes, let's.
Romney plays follow-the-leader, jumping into this over-accelerated race early, and slogs through the summer as just another name on the rubber-chicken circuit, blowing through millions of dollars to eke out a position in a tenuous third place, within the margin of error of the doomed McCain candidacy.
Thompson bides his own time, takes the time to put together a solid team, refuses to jump through anyone else's hoops in terms of timing, and generally does things his own way.
Which one is the leader?
Check that Teddy Roosevelt quote about the man in the arena.
Romney is the leader. Leads in fundraising, leads in key early states like IA and NH, leads in cash on hand, leads in ideas for conservative reform and foreign and domestic policy proposals. He leads by sticking to all the key pillars of the Reagan coalition - family values, strong military, fiscal conservatism. Leads in debates.
Thompson, Rudy, McCain have the advantage of previous media celebrity, so are nationally known figures who get instance name ID. Romney has a different advantage: He succeeds at practically everything he does.
Let the best man win.